Is a pool right in this situation?

I saw a letter to the editor in the Tampa Bay Times. All I could see from the letter was that the city of Tarpon Springs, Fla. was proposing that it install a pool on a project called Mango Circle.

In response, a citizen wrote to the newspaper, saying, “I am not in favor of spending tax dollars on things that are not necessary. Granite countertops are not a necessity or a right. A swimming pool is not a right, it is a luxury.”

My immediate reaction was, “Pools aren’t a luxury in the public context. Why does this perception continue to persist?” And off I started writing this blog post.

Well, as I said before, things are never as simple as they seem. I did a little research. The pool being proposed is for a public housing complex called Mango Circle. Oh, so that explained the reference to granite countertops.

But I think this raises an even more interesting question: Should pools be considered a luxury in a setting meant to help the financially challenged?

One could argue that the financially challenged stand to benefit the most from the physical, psychological and family-building benefits pools and spas offer. Pools help lend to the sense of community and family that children need, and they could promote physical fitness in a population that disproportionately fights obesity. Pools help keep kids off the streets, perhaps raise self esteem and teach discipline and goal attainment for youngsters who become serious swimmers. Plus, the work might be nice for somebody able to score that construction or service contract.

Others would say that money could be used on something truly essential to a town’s citizenry. And they might add that, while a pool could certainly add value to those looking to improve their lives, it also might take away from the incentive to move on to a higher-income area. And where’s the money going to come from to properly maintain the pool and keep it safe?

At least those are the thoughts going through my head on the subject. What do you think? I’d love to read your comments.